A team of young researchers from Wimbledon High School GDST along with Orbyts Fellow Natalie Gunasekara from UCL Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering conducted two intriguing studies to explore how music and background noise affect cognitive performance!

In the first study, participants listened to different music genres (classical, rock, and pop) while their brain activity was monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The results revealed a fascinating pattern: classical music significantly increased brain activity in prefrontal regions, associated with attention and memory, suggesting a positive impact on cognitive function. In contrast, rock music seemed to have a detrimental effect, potentially influencing brain function and hindering performance.

The second study delved into the impact of background noise on cognitive performance. Participants were exposed to different levels of background conversation, ranging from singular to multiple concurrent conversations, mimicking a typical coffee shop study scenario. The fNIRS data showed a clear trend: as the number of conversations increased, brain activity in regions responsible for attention and cognitive control decreased. This suggests that heightened background chatter, often found in classrooms or coffee shops, can significantly impair focus and hinder learning.

Overall, these findings highlight the importance of the auditory environment in optimising cognitive performance. By choosing the right music and minimising background noise, individuals can enhance their ability to concentrate, learn, and retain information!